How to Master a Spray Tan

Yes, that’s tight, you really can master a spray tan! All you need to remember are a few key pointers, and you’ll look like you just got back from a sunny week at the beach.

With skin cancers being the fastest growing type of cancer in the United States, it’s no wonder spray tans have become so popular. For years, women have shied away from spray tanning booths and self-tanning lotions – myself included. Fears of streaks and orange hues were enough to keep us basking in the sun or fake-baking at tanning salons. In fact, I got my first Mystic Tan this past June – then I was hooked! It really looked natural and after a few visits, I learned how to perfect the spray tan.

I’ll be honest, I have only visited the Mystic Tan booths at Sun Tan City. But I recommend starting there if you have a location nearby. Visit their website – www.suntancity.com – and sign up to become a member (free of charge). You will receive updates and discounts via e-mail. You can also view a Mystic Tan demo! They offer Half-Price Sundays, so you really have no excuse not to at least try it once! You’ll fall in love with how it makes your skin look so healthy and the solution is actually a moisturizer, so it leaves your skin soft and smooth too. Sun Tan City also offers a number of different packages for Mystic Tans, so be sure to ask for the best deal!

Before your visit, make sure you exfoliate in the shower for the best results. I also recommend moisturizing, especially around your knees, elbows and feet. Once in the room, you will undress completely, or leave a thong on. A large bottle of “barrier cream” is provided for your use. You will rub this cream anywhere you do not want the tanning solution to adhere to. I’ll be honest though, you will still get some color in those locations. My suggestion is to first rub the barrier cream into your hands – your palms, over the tops of your fingers, between your fingers and lightly over your knuckles. Then apply the cream to your feet – lightly around your ankles, then all over your feet, especially between your toes and around your toenails. The staff at Sun Tan City do not recommend applying the cream to the bottoms of your feet (they’re saving their backsides), as you my slip. I do, however, because the solution has streaked the bottom of my feet previously (and I can’t deal with that during sandal weather)! Just be careful when entering the booth, and only stand on the slip-resistant pads once inside. Also apply a thin layer of barrier cream to your inner wrists, as well as the crease of your elbows. I typically do not apply the cream to my knees or elbows, but you may wish to if yours are extremely dry or if it is your fourth or fifth Mystic Tan. Then repeat covering your hands (exactly as previously described) and feet. For some reason, your hands and feet attract the solution, making them difficult areas to look natural. You also will be given a hair net – make sure to use it! Look in the mirror, however, when covering your hair to make sure you pull it past your hairline – you want your hairline to be exposed (if not, you will get a very noticeable streak across your forehead). If you wish, you may ask for nose plugs, eye protection and foot booties. I have never used any of these items, they aren’t that necessary. Just make sure to keep your eyes closed (the solution will not drip into your eyes upon opening them) and do not inhale deeply.

Now, carefully step into the booth. In Sun Tan City’s Mystic tan booths, there is a green button to start the spray. You will have ten seconds before the mist begins – so close your eyes and breathe out through your nose. I tend to tilt my head back so that my neck receives an even spray. Hold your hands like you are palming a softball – this flattens the creases in your knuckles so you will get an even spray. The mist will spray the front of your body for 30 seconds – it will be cool upon contact, but try not to gasp and inhale the mist! Once the mist stops, you will have ten seconds to turn around – the spray will automatically start again. I try to hold my hands so that my body is blocking my palms from the mist – don’t hold your hands at your side or the spray will cover your palms. When the mist stops, I try to feel my way to the door – keeping my eyes closed and holding my breath (the door is within arm’s reach). The mist is still filling the booth, I prefer not to inhale it or get it in my eyes! Once out of the booth, you will wipe yourself down with the towels provided. Your skin will still be wet, but the solutions adheres upon contact so you will not be wiping any color from your skin. Make sure that you are completely dry before dressing, however, so that you don’t stain your clothing (any solution will come off upon washing though).

You’re done! It’s best to get a spray tan at the end of the day, or a day off, etc. You should not shower for at least four hours afterward. I typically like getting a Mystic Tan in the afternoon, and not showering until the next morning. They also recommend going home barefoot afterword, just so your feet won’t streak – if you can stand it! I can’t walk out of their store barefoot, but I do take my shoes off once I’m in my car, then go straight home. I’m sure the less amount of clothes you have on, the better – so why not go naked for a couple of hours once your get in your house or apartment – just don’t sit on a white couch or anything! The tan lasts 5 to 7 days, some people have luck with up to two weeks. I went three times my first week, then once a week thereafter.

There you have it. All of my tips on mastering the perfect fake tan. I swear, you will look so good, you’ll become addicted!